Railway switching apparatus.



PATENTED OCT. 2, 1906.

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W. MACUMBER. RAILWAY SWITCHING APPARATUS.

APYLIOATION FILED PEB. 20, 1905.

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N0. 832.140. PATENTED OCT. 2, 1906. W. MAOMBER. RAILWAY SWITGHING APPARATUS.

APPLmATI-ON FILED FEB. zo, 1905.

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l/VILLIAW' MAOOM'BER, OF BUFFALO, NEW .YORIQASSIGNORTO' GENERAL IRAILNVAYSIGNAL, COMPANY, OF BUFFALONEW YOR,KA CORPORA- TION OF NEW YORK.

`RAILWAY SWITCHING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 20, 1905. Serial No. 246,539.

T0 LM w/wm, it may concern:

Be -it known that I, VILLIAM MACOMBER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Railway Switching Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to railway switching apparatus, and more particularly to that class of railway switching apparatus in which the motive power is electric energy.

My invention further consists of mechanism for moving and locking the rail-switch and mechanism for making and breaking the electric circuits as required by the system in connection with which it is used.

The objects of.my invention are, first, to

Vdispense with the clumsy and short-lived clutch mechanism in common use and provide in its place amovement both simple and durable; second, tov provide means whereby the load yupon the motor in performing its several functions is well distributed-that is .to say, so that the power required to unlock, move., and lock the rail-switch to set up the spring to throw the pole-changing switch and to set up the spring to reestablish the circuit shall be successively employed third, to provide means' for moving the electric switch at thel proper time, and, fourth, especially, to hold the electric switch against any movement whatsoever until the lock-bolt locking the rail-switch ishome.

Theapparatus shown in Figures 1 to 9, inclusive, show myinvention adapted to, my batteryindication system shown in my pending application,- Serial No. 198,220.

,In Figs.- 10 to 12, inclusive, I have shown my invention adapted to-r my single-circuit system shown in my pending application, Serial No. 246,538. vIt will also be evident that my apparatusmay be readily adapted to kthe Taylor dynamic indication system shown in Patents hlos.v 554,097 and 605,359, reissue No. 11,983,7dated February 4, 1896,

. and reissued May 6, 1902.

Referring to the drawings herewith, in which like characters of` reference indicate corresponding parts, Fig. 1 is a plan view.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central secon the line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an under side view in plan. Fig. 7 is a detail section ont 'i of Fig. 1 of a part of my switch mechanism. Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively end and side elevations of my locking-dogs. Fig. 10 is a plan view of my apparatus adapted to my single-circuit system above mentioned. Figs. 11 and 12 are, respectively detail end and side views of my electric switch. `In Figs. 3 and 5 the electric switch mechanism is omitted from the views.

1 is a Switchpoint. It may be either one of two points of an ordinary rail-Switch orzit may be a derailing-switch.

2 is a switch-rod, which is pivotally connected to the switch in the usual manner.

3 is the locking-bar, Whichispivotally Iconnected to Vthe switch-point in the usual manner.

4 is the boX or casing which contains and supports lthe mechanism' formoving the rafilswitch. This casing contains a partition or plate' 5, whichdivides the casing into an upper and lower portion.

6 isa shelf or. partial division whichsupports the motor `(not shown) and the electric switch and mechanism connected therewith.

Mounted loosely upon a vertical shaftA 7 isa gear8. Mounted directly Vbeneath the gear y8 and rigidly splined tothe shaft 7 is. asegthe locking-frame 13 andthrough holesin `the lock-rod 3, which register with `the holein ithe .locking-frame 13 when the rail-switch isfully home in either position. The lock-bolt is reciprocated by thefollowing meanszlA yoke composed of two side members 14 and.14 (see Fig. 6) and of two end portions 15. and 15/ is rigidly secured on one side to the lockbolt 12 andon thc other ,sideto ashort shaft 19, which is free to.move longitudinallyin a .bearing 18. 'A disk 16 is mounted rigidly IOO , gage'rnent with the spur-gear 10.

. gearS has slots'21 21 and 22 22.

upon the shaft 7, and rigidly mounted upon the disk 16 is a pin 17 ,which lies in the plane of the yoke 14 14. The sides 14 and 14 are segments of circles having the same radius and a radius equal to the distance from the center of the shaft 7 to the outer surface of the pin 17. The centers of the segments 14 and 14 are in the axis of the lock-bolt 12 and are so positioned that when the bolt is locked the pins 17 may travel freely over the inner surface of the segment 14 and so that when the bolt 12 is in the unlocked position the pin 17 may travel freely upon the inner surface of the segment 14. The ends of the two segments 14 and 14 are joined by the small semicircular portions 15 and 15, and it will now be evident that if the pin be moved toward the unlocked position it will travel over the surface of the segment 14 without producing movement of the lock-bolt 12 until it shall have reached the semicircular portion 15. Advancing further it will strike the inner upper portion of the segment 15 and force the yoke toward the locked position until the segment 14 coincides as to its center with the center of the disk 16. A reverse movement will move the yoke in like manner to the unlocked position-that shown in the drawings. The motor (not shown) drives the spur-gear 10. This spur-gear is in mesh with the gear 8 at all times and with the segmental gear 9 when it is brought into action, as hereinafter described.

v1 will now describe the mechanism for putting the segmental gear 9 in and out of en- Mounted upon a diameter of the segmental gear 9 are two locking-dogs 20 20. These dogs lie in slots in the gear 9 and are pivotally mounted to rotate upon a diameter of said gear. The These slots are concentric with the gear 8 and are diametrically opposite each other. They are so positioned and of such width as to permitapartof the dogs 20 and 20 to swing into them. Slots 24 and 24 diametrically opposite Ato each-.otherand capable of registering with-the lsldts 21:21 are made in the partition-'platey 5,1as cleanlyshown in Fig. 6. The locking-dogs 2O andif20have Wings a and opposite each oth'erand a lug c at right angles thereto.j Y (See Figs. 5 and 9.) The wing a is capable ofI engaging in the slot 24 or the slot 21. The" wing b is Acapable of engaging in the slot 21"`or theislot 24, and the lug c is capable of endagin "in the slots 22 and 22.

I will now escri e a movement of the railswitch mechanism. Suppose the rail-switch to be set forlthe main track, as shown in the drawings, and'suppose it is desired to set it fory the side track. the directionto rotate ythe gear'S to the right, (as the hands of a clock.) This will first withdraw the bolt 12 by the pin 17 moving the yoke 14 to the position shown in the The ,motor will rotate iny drawings. The spoke 23 will strike the wing l) of the dog 20 and the spoke 23 will strike the wing a of the dog 20. T his will force the lugs c of the dogs 20 and 20 into the slots 22 and 22, respectively. Further rotation of the gear 8 will cause the walls of the slots 22 and 22 to strike the lugs c of the dogs 20 and 20 and bring the fiat bottoms of the dogs onto the surface of the partition 5. locks the segmental gear 9 with the gear 8 and compels it to rotate with it for a half-rotation. This movement of the segmental gear moves the rail-switch to set it for the side track. As this movement of the railswitch is completed the wing b of the dog 2() tips into the slot 24 and the wing a of the dog 20 tips into the slot 24. At the same time the lugs c of both dogs have tipped out of the slots 22 and 22 and the wing a of the dog 20 enters the slot 21, and the wing b of the dog 21 enters the slot 20. lSince the slots 21 and 21 are extended for nearly ninety degrees, the gear 8 may continue rotating a considerable period after the segmental gear 9 has come to rest. After the rail-switch movement is complete and the segmental gear has come to rest the gear 8 continues to move until the pin 17 on the disk 16 strikes the side 14 of the yoke and drives the lock-bolt 12 home. Immediately thereafter the electric switch is thrown, as hereinafter described, and the motor presently comes to rest 3 but while the motor is coming to a stop the disk 16 continues to revolve and the pin` 17 travels over the surface of the side 14 of the yoke. A reverse movement would be practically a repetition of the steps just explained and need not be further described.

It will be observed that I may use merely a disk in place of the segmental gear 9. I prefer, however, to use a segmental gear for the reason that it reduces friction, for without the segmental gear the faces of the dogs 20 20 ride heavily upon the adjacent surface of the plate 5 for the entire movement of the disk, whereas with the segmental gear as soon as it is in mesh with the driving-gear the load is practically removed from the dogs. It will also be observed that 1 employ two dogs diametrically opposite each other. /Vhile a single dog will do the work, whatever strain there may be in locking the gears together is better distributed over the mechanism with two dogs, as shown; but itis to be noted that when the dogs lock the gear S and the segmental gear 9ltogether the relation of the parts of the dogs and the slots in which they engage are so adjusted that the moment the two gears are locked together the teeth of the two gears register exactly, and as soon as the spur-gear 10 engages the teeth of the segmental gear 9 the load is taken off the dogs, thus reducing the friction. Thus it will be seen that in the utilization of the power of This IOO

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'no other load. The third function -is locky time. VIt will be evident to one familiar with the said Taylor dynamic-indication system 1 Irangement for raising the detector-bar before j pins 26 and 26.

:before the motorzactually begins thistask it "has gained considerable :momentum,) and while this isdone the motor has `noother load and the-load being light considerable momentum isattained before the next function begins.

The second function -is moving. the rail-switch. "To this the motor comes with acquired lmomenturnand is handicapped by ing. This is performed after the motor is` free yfrom its heavy load. The fourthfunction is operating the electric switch, which function is the only load on the motor at that that this sequence of movement and the cut- Iting `offof all `load at the time the electric vswitch is moved (or before that time, which Aisa mere matter of. adjustment) is of the highest importance. It will also be evident that the raising and lowering of thedetector- -bar in the usual manner may be readily performed Iby inserting cam or pin-and-yoke artheswitch is unlocked and lowering the same immediately` after the lock-bolt is home.

I I will now` describe the electric switchmoving mechanism, which is arranged as re- -`quired by my said system shown and described in .my said .pending application,Se-

rial No. 198,220. It will be noted by reference to the system of said patent that a pole-changing switch is employed,fand that awhalf throw -of the pole changing switch closes a circuit of the battery including the indicating-magnet to produce indication and to produce the final movement of the controller, and that after the movement of Vthe controller, the circuit being broken thereby, the pole-changing switch is sent to full reverse. Referring now to Fig. 1, 57 and 58 are the magnets indicated by corresponding characters of `reference in said application Serial No. 198,220. 50 is the armature governed by said magnets, and 47 is the bar pivoted to a lug on the pole-changing switch 25. This is the 'same construction as is shown in said application vSerial No. 198,220. Rig idly secured to the gear 8 are two pins 26 and Mounted in bearings .30 and 30', secured to the shelf 6, is a square shaft 28, and centrally upon said shaft 28 is secured a lug 27, which lies in the path of rotation of said Helical springs 29 and 29 take over said shaft 28 and abut against said lug` 27 and the inner faces of the bearings 30 and 30. One end of said shaft is bent at right angles, as shown at 31, and has secured to its side oppositely the springs 32 and 32. Lying in the path of movement of said springs 32 and 32( are lugs 33 and 33, which .are-secured to or integral with a bar 35. This ,pose which will presently be evident.

fin-abase 37, which is secured to thefshelf 6. A bar 36, pivoted to the bar.35, is pivotedat the other end to a lug on' the pole-changing switch25. Alever'38 (see Fig..2) is rpivoted to a bracket 39, secured to the partition 5. One end ofthis lever 38is bent atright angles and.` is capable of entering the bolt-hole in the locking-frame 13. .The..L-shaped portion is .of suchlengthfas to' be forced out of i theI locking-bolt hole` when `the lock-bolt; is home-and to swing the lever 38 for thepur- The other end of said lever38 is rigidly secured to a bar 40, which extends upwardly through openingsin the vpartitions 5 and shelf 6, which bar 40 is pivoted to arod 41. (See Fig. 1.)

This rod41 is pivoted to a lever 42, which in turn is pivoted centrally to a lug (not shown) on the shelf 6. The otherend of this lever 42 is pivoted to a bolt 43, which slides in a bear.v

ver 38 into the bolt-hole in the locking-frame.A

.The parts thus indicated, I will now de scribe the operation of this mechanism. As soon as the lock-bolt 12 iswithdrawn from the locking-frame 13 the end of the lever 38 enters the bolt-hole compelled by the spring 46,.and at the same time the lever.42 drives the bolt 43 into .the path of the lug 33. When the rail-switch has been moved and just be-Y fore the lock-bolt has gone home, ythe pin.26 strikes the lug 27 and compresses the spring 29 and at the same time brings the spring 32 against the lug 33. This causes the lug 33 .to bear against the bolt 43, and since the lug 33 is thus held the spring 31 is compressed. In the meantime (as fully explained in m said application Serial No. 198,220) the-magnet 57 has been energized, and the armature 50 is held in the position to prevent the polechanging switch 25 making but a half-throw while the magnet 57 is energized. As soon as the lock-bolt 12 goes home it pushes the L end of the lever 38 out .of the bolt-hole, and this through the bar 40, rod 41, and lever 42 moves the bolt 43 out of the path of the lug 33. This permits the bar 35 to respond to the pressure ofthe spring 32, and the polechanging switchis thrown, but the magnet 57 through .the armature 50 and the bar 47 preventsa full throw of the pole changing switch. The momentum of the motor will during this time further compress the spring 32, and as soonv as the battery-circuit is broken at the controller (as fully described in my said application) the magnet 57 is denergized, and the pressure ofthe spring 32 will IOO yl 11o complete the movement of the pole-changingv switch. As soon as the momentum of the motor is expended (and the compression of the spring 29 rapidly expends it) the spring 29 will rotate the motor in the opposite direction and bring the parts in position for the next movement-fi. e., places the springs 32 and 32 in the medial position. The reverse movement will be readily understood. The pin 26 will come in play instead of the pin 26, and the spring 32 will engage the lug 33, and so on. The sequence of movement, as before mentioned, is now evident. No two functions are performed at the same time. Thev motor in unlocking the switch acquires momentum of material use in starting the rail-switch. After the rail-switch is moved and during the time the locking-bolt :is going home and after abundant momentum is acquired to insure in the system herein shown the iinal throw of the pole-changing switch and in the Taylor dynamic system abundant momentum to produce the indication.

Referring now to Figs. 10, ll, and 12, i will describe the electric switch mechanism adapted to my system disclosed in my said pending application Serial No. 246,538. Tt will be noted that the electric switch 36 25 is thrown by the same general mechanism as shown in Fig. 1. Instead of a pole-changing switch, however, this system requires merely an electric switch which shall open the operating-circuit and then close the same after indication. This T accomplish by securing to the bar 35, but insulated from it, a springarm 36a, which carries a V-shaped contact 36, (see Fig. 11,) which rests in V-shaped notches, one in the contact-plate 25 and the two notches 25ZL and 25h, as the case may be. The notch 25 is connected to one of the wires of the circuit, and the V-shaped contact 36 is connected to the other wire of the circuit. The notches 25L and 25b are not connected electrically, vas hereinafter eX- plained.

In operation, suppose the spring 32 to be compressed, as in the case of the other switch mechanism above described. As soon as the lugs on the lever 42 permit the bar 36ab to move the spring 32 forces the contact 36 out of the notch 25 and sends it into the notch 25a. This breaks the circuit and causes the motor to come to rest; but in the meantime the spring 29 has been set up, and as soon as current is cut ofl" from the motor the said spring 29', through the lug 27, will rotate the gear 8 in the oppositey direction until the compression of the spring 29 is relieved. This will result in moving the bar 28 so that the spring 32 engages the lug 33, and as soon as suiiicient pressure is put upon the spring 32 to overcome the action of the spring 36a, holding the contact 36 in the notch 25, the contact 36 will be snapped back into the notch 25. Movement of the mechanism in the reverse direction will bring the notch 25b into action instead of the notch 25, the springs 32 and 32 reversing their functions. It will thus be seen that, as in the case of the electric switch mechanism first described,

indication cannot be had (for indication in4 this system depends upon opening the circuit after each movement) until the lockbolt is home, and it will also be observed that the restablishment of the circuit cannot be had unless the circuit has been properly broken and the circuit intact.

Having thus described my invention., what I claim is* l. In combination with a motor, a drivinggear, a driven gear in mesh therewith, a fired plate, a segmental gear mounted concentrically with said driven gear and between it and said plate, a locking-dog, and a slot in said driven gear to lock said disk in rotation with it.

2. In combination with a motor, a drivinggear, a driven gear in mesh therewith, a iixed plate, a segmental gear mounted concentrically with said driven gear and between it and said plate, a locking-dog pivoted to said segmental gear, a slot :in said driven gear to lock said segmental gear in rotation with it, and a slot in said driven gear and in said plate to unlock said driven gear and said segmental gear. 3. ln combination with a motor, a drivinggear, a driven gear, mechanism actuated by said driven gear to unlock and lock a railswitch, a segmental gear capable of meshing with said driving-gear, and mechanism actu-` ated by said segmental gear for moving a rail-switch, a plate, a dog in said segmental gear slots in said driven gear and in said plate to receive the wings of said dog to unloc r said driven and segmental gears, a slot in said driven gear to engage the lug of said dog to lock said gears together, whereby the rail-switch is unlocked by the rotation of the driven gear 3 whereby the segmental gear is locked with said driven gear tomove the rail-switch; whereby said segmental gear and said driven gear are unlocked at the completion of a switch movement; and whereby the lock-bolt is sent home by the continued rotation of the driven gear after the switch movement is completed.

4. In combination with a motor, a drivinggear, a driven gear, a locking-bolt for the rail-switch, an electric switch, a lockingbolt for the electric switch, means for locking the electric switch when the rail-switch is unlocked and locking the rail-switch when the electric switch is unlocked ,actuated by the rotation of the driven gear, a segmental gear and mechanism for moving the rail-switch by the rotation of said segmental gear, a plate, dogs for locking said driven gear and said segmental gear together in rotation when the rail-switch. is unlocked and the electric switch is locked, and for unlocking said gears IOO IIO

when the rail-switch movement is complete, and a'bolt actuated mediately by the entrance of the rail-switch-locking bolt in the locking-frame to unlock said electric switch, and means for throwing said switch actuated by the continued rotation of said driven gear.

5, `In combination with a motor and a driving-gear, a driven gear in mesh with said driving-gear, mechanism actuated by said driven gear to unlock the rail-switch, a segmental gear and means for actuating the rail-switch bythe rotation of the segmental gear, and means for locking said segmental gear in rotation with said driven gear when the rail-switch is unlocked and means for unlocking said driven gear and said segmental gear when the rail-switch movement is completed, and mechanism actuated by the continued rotation of the said driven gear to lock said rail-switch.

6. In combination with a motor, a drivinggear, a driven gear, a fixed plate and a segmental gear, said segmental gear being mounted between said driven gear and said plate and concentric with said driven gear, dogs pivoted in the web of said segmental gear, concentric slots in said driven gear and said plate to lock and unlock said gears, a pinion driven by said segmental gear, a rack on the switch-rod meshing with said pinion, a locking-bolt, a yoke, a disk rigidly mounted to rotate with said driven gear, and a pin in said disk to engage said yoke to unlock the rail-switch to permit movement and to lock said switch after movement.

7. In combination with a driven gear, a fixed plate, a segmental gear, all arranged concentrically and placed adjacent to each other, a driving-gear capable of meshing with both of said gears, dogs pivoted in said segmental gear having their aXes in a common diameter of said gear, concentric slots in said driven gear to engage the wings of said dogs, and slots in said driving-gear to engage the locking-lugs of said dogs to lock said driven gear and said segmental gear to mesh with said driving-gear.

8. The combination with a driving-gear, a switch-rod and a lock-rod, a gear 8, a segmental gear 9, a plate 5, dogs 2() and 20, slots 21 and 21 in said gear 8 and slots 24 and 24 in said plate to permit said dogs to rotate out of lock, and slots 22 and 22 and intervening spokes 23 and 23 in said driven gear 8 for rotating said dogs into lock.

9. In combination with a motor, a drivinggear, a driven gear, a fixed plate and a segmental gear, said segmental gear being mounted between said driven gear and said plate and concentric with said driven gear, dogs pivoted to the web of said segmental gear, concentric slots in said driven gear and said plate to lock and unlock said gears, a pinion driven by said segmental gear, a rack on the switch-rod meshing with said pinion, a

locking-bolt, a yoke, a disk rigidlymounted to rotate with said driven gear, apinin said disk to engage said yoke to unlockthe railswitch to permit movement and to lock the switch after movement, and Van electric switch for performing the function of indication, a locking-bolt locking said electric switch against movement while the lockingbolt of the rail-switch is not home and preventing indication until the locking-boltcof the rail-switch has gone to full locked position in the locking-frame.

l0. In combination -with a motor, a driving-gear and an electric switch, a driven gear in mesh with said driving-gear, mechanism actuated by the rotation of said driven gear to unlock the rail-switch and to lock said electric switch, a segmental gear capable of meshing with said driving-gear and means for moving the rail-switch by the rotation of said segmental gear, means for locking said segmental gear in rotation with said driven gear as soon as the rail-switch is unlocked, means for unlocking said driven gear and said segmental gear as soon as the rail-switch has been moved, mechanism actuated by the continued rotation of said driven gear to lock said rail-switch, and for unlocking said electric switch as soon as the rail-switch bolt is home in the locking-frame.

11. In combination with a motor, and a driving-gear, a driven gear in mesh with said driving-gear for unlocking the rail-switch, a segmental gear, dogs for locking said segmental gear with said driven gear as soon as the rail-switch is unlocked and means for moving said rail-switch when said gears are locked in rotation, means for unlocking said gears when the rail-switch movement is completed, and means for locking said rail-switch after the switch movement is completed, whereby the several movements involved are sequential, to take the load of locking and unlocking from the motor when the railswitch is being moved.

12. In combination with a motor, a driving-gear, and an electric switch, a driven gear, a segmental gear capable of meshing with said driving-gear, a fixed plate, lockingdogs in said segmental gear, slots in said plate and in said driven gear for locking and unlocking said segmental gear to and from said driven gear, all so arranged, and mechanism provided for performing the several functions involved, whereby the functions preparatory to the moving of the rail-switch are successively performed in their proper order by the rotation of said driven gear, whereby the rail-switch is moved by the rotation of said segmental gear, and whereby the functions following the movement of the rail-switch are performed in sequence. by said driven gear. p

13. The combination witha driving-gear, a switch-rod and a lock-rod, a driven gear 8, a

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segmental gear 9, a plate 5, dogs 20 and 20/, slots 21 and 21 in said gear 8 and slots 24 and 24 in said plate to permit said dogs to rotate out o'l' lock, slots 22 and 22 and spokes 23 and 23 in said gear 8 for rotating said dogs into lock, an electric switch, means for throwing the same, comprising, the bar 28, the lug 27, springs 32 and 32, an arm 31, lugs 33, 33, and means for preventing movement of the electric switch at any time when the track-switch is not locked, comprising, a lever 3S, having an L end to enter the hole in the locking-frame 13, a lever 42 mediately actuated thereby, a bolt 43, a lug 45 and a spring 46.

14. In a two-wire battery-indication system, in which indication depends upon the opening and closing ofthe circuit adjacent to the rail-switch, means Afor moving the railswitch, comprising, a segmental gear, a driven gear, a driving-gear, dogs for locking said driven and segmental gears to mesh with said driving-gear to move the rail-switch and then unlocking said gears, an electric snapswitch, springs, pins on said driven gear to set up one of said springs to throw said snapswitch to open the circuit, and to reestablish the circuit after indication by the action of said set-up spring moving said snap-switch to close the circuit.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

y WILLIAM MACOMBER.

Witnesses:

A. W. MACOMBER,

E. F. BRANCH. 

